Indian American students are using research, writing and philanthropy to take on some of India’s most pressing social challenges.
The India Philanthropy Alliance (IPA), a U.S.-based network of nonprofit organizations focused on India, has announced the winners of its 7th Annual Youth Essay Competition, highlighting how young people in the United States are thinking about issues ranging from inclusive education to female infanticide.
This year’s competition, held around the theme #YouthWithPurpose, drew a record number of essays from across the United States and from U.S. citizens living abroad.
READ: India Philanthropy Alliance announces Youth Essay Contest (March 7, 2022)
The competition gives middle and high school students an opportunity to look beyond academic writing and examine real-world problems affecting India, while developing their own ideas for possible solutions.
The two winners will travel to Dallas on Sept. 29 to present their essays at the Indiaspora and IPA Philanthropy Summit at the Communities Foundation of Texas.
“We believe that young people bring fresh perspectives to complex social challenges and can inspire innovative solutions,” said Alex Counts, Executive Director of the India Philanthropy Alliance. “This competition reinforces that students have the power to shape India’s future through creative ideas and a commitment to making a difference.”
High school winner Aditi Soham focused on one of the challenges facing children and young people with disabilities in India: the lack of resources for neurodivergent and differently abled students within the education system.
“One of India’s most relevant, unresolved developmental crises has been silently hurting the country’s progress: the lack of resources for neurodivergent and differently abled youth in the education system.”
Soham’s essay also translated into direct philanthropic support. As part of the competition, winners can select a nonprofit to receive a $1,000 grant from IPA. Soham chose Dharithree USA to receive the grant.
Middle school winner Naga Prerani Kasula turned her attention to female infanticide, an issue she described as close to her heart.
Her essay sought to raise awareness about the practice in India and globally, while proposing solutions that combine technology with long-term education and social change.
“True progress will happen when society not only prevents discrimination against girls but also changes the underlying beliefs.”
Kasula selected Invisible Girl Project as the recipient of her $1,000 grant.
The winning essays reflect a broader effort to engage young members of the Indian American community with issues affecting India. Rather than simply studying these challenges, the competition encourages students to research them, develop their own perspectives and consider how individuals, communities and nonprofit organizations can contribute to solutions.
The winners, along with runners-up and finalists in the middle school and high school categories, will have their essays published on the IPA website.
Launched in 2020, the Youth Essay Competition is open to middle and high school students who are U.S. citizens or residents. It encourages participants to explore philanthropy and global problem-solving through research and writing, with a focus on critical issues facing India.
The competition is sponsored by Sehgal Foundation, Ujala Foundation, Mamta Bhandari and the Gupta Giving Fund.
Read: India Philanthropy Alliance launches 2nd youth essay competition (February 22, 2021)
The India Philanthropy Alliance is a network of nonprofit, philanthropic and charitable organizations that mobilize people and funding in the United States and elsewhere for development and poverty-reduction programs in India.
Its 22 core network organizations include Aarti for Girls, Agastya USA, Akanksha Education Fund, Akshaya Patra, American India Foundation, Antara International, Arogya World, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment USA (ATREE USA), Children’s Hope India, CRY America, Community Pure Water, Foundation for Excellence (FFE), Indiaspora, Karya, Milaan Foundation, Pratham USA, Sehgal Foundation, Teach for India U.S., Vibha, Vicente Ferrer Foundation, VisionSpring and WISH Foundation.